The Multiple Functions of Religion and Some Specifi cs
As shown through the various chapters of the present volume, religion,
as a multifaceted reality, i.e., including the four “B” dimensions of
believing, bonding, behaving, and belonging, has not a sole but rather
multiple functions at the intra-individual, interpersonal, and social levels
(see Figure 16.1 for an integrative view). These may be cognitive,
emotional, moral, and social or may be rather transversal, i.e., for the
individual and social self as a whole. Interestingly, none of these psychological
functions seems unique, specifi c to religion, compared to other
domains of human activity; they are universal, i.e., concern human
beings in general, be they religious or not. Following Fiske’s (2010)
model of fi ve major social motives, as psychologists we can argue that
religion is mainly based on panhuman motives: understanding, controlling,
and trusting (oneself, others, and the world), as well as selfenhancing,
and belonging. However, religion implies several specifi cs
in the way these universal motives work within a religious context and/
or among religious participants. Later in the chapter, I will focus on
key characteristics and specifi cs that make religion to be both (1) built
upon universal psychological motives and (2) distinct from irreligion